Download our PFAS Basics for Professionals handout. Image credit: C. Dettmann/MNSG.
The National Sea Grant Law Center partnered with Minnesota Sea Grant and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant to disseminate research findings and lay the foundation for future regional policy conversations about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
PFAS, are a family of over 15,000 man-made chemicals used in everyday products since the 1950s. Because these chemicals are incredibly effective at resisting heat, water, and oil, they are woven into everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof jackets to industrial foams. However, the traits that make them so durable also make them persistent; they don't break down easily, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals." Today, these substances are found worldwide, and research has shown that even low levels of exposure can pose significant risks to human health.
As the science surrounding PFAS evolves rapidly, it can be difficult to find information that is both current and easy to understand. Many existing resources are either outdated or written for technical experts rather than the general public. Minnesota Sea Grant is working to bridge this gap by providing clear, up-to-date guidance that helps our communities navigate these risks and stay informed about the latest PFAS research.
What are PFAS and why are they a concern?
Download our PFAS Basics for Professionals handout.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, are a family of over 15,000 man-made chemicalsused for decades in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, fast food packaging, and firefighting foam (EPA, 2023c).
Because PFAS break down very slowly in the environment, they can build up over time and spread far from where they were originally used or made. They can enter the environment during manufacturing, through the use of firefighting foam, or when products containing PFAS are disposed of (EPA, 2023c).
PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment because of their unique chemical structure. Each PFAS molecule has two parts: one part that’s attracted to water (hydrophilic) and another part that repels water and oil (hydrophobic). This structure helps them move through water, soil, and air, and collect in places where air and water meet, like in foam on water surfaces (Interstate Technology Regulatory Council, 2023).
These chemicals can also shift between air, water, and soil, which helps them spread further (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2022).
Some PFAS can clump together into tiny clusters called micelles, which can lead to big differences in concentration from one area to another. PFAS can also build up in plants and animals. However, not all PFAS behave the same way, with some building up in living organisms more than others. For example, mammals tend to hold on to PFAS longer than amphibians, because amphibians can more easily get rid of PFAS through their gills (Interstate Technology Regulatory Council, 2023).
Project description
The National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC), in partnership with Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (ILSG), conducted legal research and outreach to understand the extent and methods that states in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain region have taken to address PFAS contamination. While individual states worked to address PFAS pollution, increased coordination could help promote greater consistency in regulations and public communication.
This project conducted legal research to map existing state and tribal regulations, analyze approaches, and develop case studies to highlight policy challenges. Key objectives included compiling contact lists of state and tribal regulators, promoting cross-state collaboration, and creating outreach strategies to engage underserved communities disproportionately impacted by PFAS contamination.
Project work sought to reduce information gaps, enhance regional communication, and provide clear, accessible resources to communities across Minnesota and the broader Great Lakes region. The project team sought to foster long-term collaboration among regulators and stakeholders and help to streamline PFAS regulation and improve community outreach on this critical environmental issue.
The National Sea Grant Law Center produced the following documents, viewable on their website.
Comparative analysis of legal approaches.
PFAS legal scan and compilation for the nine states in the Great Lakes & Lake Champlain regions.
Case studies of state action to address PFAS.
PFAS resources
Minnesota Sea Grant
PFAS Basics for Professionals (handout)
The National Sea Grant Law Center produced the following documents, viewable on their website.
Comparative analysis of legal approaches.
PFAS legal scan and compilation for the nine states in the Great Lakes & Lake Champlain regions.
Case studies of state action to address PFAS.
Resource Renew (formerly known as Western Lake Superior Sanitary District)
- PFAS Making the Headlines (blog post)
- Ready to Reduce PFAS in Your Home: Five Steps to a Healthier Household (blog post)
- Forever Chemicals: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (website)
Environmental Protection Agency
Why Minnesota Sea Grant?
Minnesota Sea Grant's role was to provide extension and outreach support for PFAS materials and information produced by the National Sea Grant Law Center and to produce additional materials as needed.
Minnesota Sea Grant also has a research project investigating how PFAS are transported through the air and into surface water in the Great Lakes region.
What have we done lately?
- June 2025: PFAS project lead, the National Sea Grant Law Center, hosted a webinar to discuss current regulations, ongoing litigation, and critical insights into PFAS's regulatory landscape.
- February 2025: Minnesota Sea Grant published the PFAS Basics for Professionals handout.
Participants & audience
Project team
- National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC)
- Minnesota Sea Grant
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Target audience
- State regulators and agencies, including the U.S. EPA, tribal nations, and the Canadian government
- Businesses
- Public
Funding
This project is supported through a $10,000 subaward NA22OAR4170654 (March 2024–July 2025) from Purdue University, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to support regional collaboration connecting PFAS regulators across the Great Lakes.